The Weights and Measures Division strives to "level
the playing field" when weights and measures are involved
in commercial transactions. As a consumer, you should feel assured
that you're getting what you pay for with regard to a product's
weight, volume, count, duration or advertised price.
Commercial weighing and measuring devices, package
content statements and advertised prices are regularly inspected
to ensure their accuracy. Consumers may make complaints of inaccuracy
or fraud for investigation.
 Device
Registration & Inspection |
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Any device used to weigh or measure products or
services for direct sale must be an approved type and annually
registered with the Sealer of Weights and Measures. This includes
gasoline pumps, gas and electric submeters, grocery and deli
counter scales, taxi meters, water vending machines, truck scales,
and yardage meters, among others.
Registration fees help fund the inspection of commercial
weighing and measuring devices throughout Santa Barbara County.
Devices are affixed with the Division's seal, upon demonstration
of compliance with accuracy tolerances and device type standards.
Devices that favor the device owner are immediately taken off-sale.
Device owners benefit when advised that a device favors the customer.
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Quantity Control |
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Test purchases of packaged products are regularly
conducted, to verify, using statistical methods, the accuracy
of the products' weight, count or other measurement statements,
and for proper labeling. Price verification is also performed
on sale items, advertised prices and register scanner accuracy.
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Weighmaster |
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Weighmasters are persons, licensed by the Division
of Measurement Standards, who certify the weighed, measured,
or counted quantity of any commodity. Specific criteria must
be followed when issuing weighmaster certificates. Weighmasters
are regularly inspected to ensure the accuracy of their certifications.
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Device Repairman |
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Persons that sell, rent, install, service or repair
commercial weighing and measuring devices are required to be
licensed with the Division of Measurement Standards. Device repairmen
are required to notify the Sealer of the installation or repair
of any commercial weighing and measuring device. County Weights
and Measures inspectors may validate the accuracy of their repairs.
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Petroleum
Products |
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Samples of gasoline and other petroleum products
are tested for compliance with quality and octane standards.
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Staff |
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The following staff may be contacted regarding
the regulatory requirements for commercial weighing and measuring
devices in Santa Barbara County.
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Bill Gillette |
Sealer/Director |
|
Guy Tingos |
Deputy Agricultural Commissioner |
|
Dennis Gibson |
Weights & Measures Inspector |
|
Kevin McCarthy |
Weights & Measures Inspector |
|
Rod Ross |
Weights & Measures Inspector |
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Santa Barbara |
(805)681-5600 |
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Santa Maria |
(805)934-6200 |
(571k)